Starter problem?

[hills597]

I own a 95 GMC Sierra 1500, 305 cu,auto trans with a 143,000 miles on the body and 80,000 on the motor. I was driving hte other day and turned my truck off. When I tried to start it again it just made a clicking noise. I banged on the starter witha hammer and still just clicking, the engine would not turn over. I then went and bought a new starter and installed it and still nothing. I replaced my plugs recently and they were gapped from the factory, but I am wondering if maybe the gap was improper causing them not to spark. I also just cleaned my terminals and had the truck tuned up. I am wondering whatI can do to not take this to the shop and have them rape me on the bill.

[GM-Tech]

If the starter is just clicking and the engine is not turning over, spark plugs wouldn't have anything to do with it.

 

If it's just clicking and you've already replaced the starter, then there's not enough current flow to allow the starter motor to turn over the engine. That means either a battery or the battery connections or cables.

[hills597]

I also cleaned my terminals and tried to jump the truck neither of which worked. You think it could possibly be a switch or a relay? I also checked my fuses which are all okay.

[71GMC_3/4T]

Try starting the truck with the headlights on. If the lights go out when you try, you have a bad connection or a bad battery.

If the lights stay on, you have something wrong with the starter or associated circuitry.